SNL Weekend Update Duo to Host 2018 Emmys

Michael Che and Colin Jost Chosen

The ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast members will emcee NBC’s Sept. 17 telecast, a rare move for the franchise.

NBC’s renewed love for Saturday Night Live is heading to the Emmys. The network has tapped Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che to host the 2018 telecast.

The network hasn’t tapped a SNL personality to host the Emmys since Eddie Murphy back in 1983, instead relying recently on late-night hosts — like most every other awards show.

“NBC is thrilled to be the home of this year’s Emmy Awards and with Colin and Michael in the driver’s seat as hosts, along with surprise appearances by other cast members of Saturday Night Live, I think we are in for one of the funniest awards shows in a long time,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt.

It’s certainly a timely move for the network. SNL continues to enjoy a cultural renaissance thanks to the current political climate. Its 2016-17 season, which tackled the presidential election and its fallout, marked the first time in decades that the show nabbed an Emmy for best variety show. SNL is hardly a stranger to the Emmys, though. It is the most-nominated TV series of all time.

Added NBC Entertainment alternative and reality group president Paul Telegdy, “We’re proud of our deep comedy roster at NBC, and Michael and Colin — along with the return of king of comedy producer Lorne Michaels — will make this the must-see comedy event of the year.”